Frame for buildings



Oct. .16, 1928.. 1,687,850

l J. G. SHODRQN FRAME FOR BUILDINGS I Filed Feb. l, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet,Y 1

llil-IIIIII A TTORNEYS 1,687,850 J. G. sHoDRoN F'RAME FOR BUILDINGS Oct. 16, 1928.

Filed Feb, 1, 1926 I5 'meeos-Shefl 2 I NI "ENTOR A TTORNEX '5.'

oct. 16, 192s. 1,687,850

J. G. SHODRON FRAME FOR BUILDINGS Filed Feb. 1, 1926 s sheets-'sheet 5 MW m 49 Fi ,10.

M @,W-Q/g ATTORNEYS f JOHN' G. SHODRON,

My invention building frames,

' the Vframes of b the type commonly NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

OF5-*FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOB TO JAMES MANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, F FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN.

FRAME FOB BUILDINGS.

Application led February relates to improvements in with particular reference to arns and other buildings of known as farm buildings,

although the invention is applicable to any building in whi ch the general requirements for frame construction are similar.

Objects of this invention are toprovide a frame of maximum strength in proportion to material used, to provide a frame in -which small or short pieces of material may be assembled to form trussed frame members of great strength proportioned to quant1i \T and cost of material used; to

provide a frame which combines the principle of the arch with that of a truss having a central ridge; to provide a frame ad apted to support a wall 1n a manner to provide maximum housing space with minimum obstruction by supporting members such as posts, beams orbraces within the area enclosed to provide a frame which can be factory made and shipped to the place of erection in units of such size as to -enable them to be conveniently handled but which can be raised and connected-with each other withv structural vary connected, will persons having no previous experience work,v and which, when so form the framework of an building of standard size and proportions exactly suited to the requirements of the owner and ot maximum to provlde a frame compose laminated and trussed wooden serviceability;

of units having bodies reinforced by shear members in a manner to preventbuckling and twisting of the frame members; members or arches with and to provide such frame postlike legs or base portions which may be cut by the erector to the height of the structure without varying the characteristics of the upper or arched portions.

A further. object of this invention has reference to the rapidly diminishing supplies oi timber and the consequent construction in other farm buildings increasing cost of building of barns and where Vthe initial costs,

the

transportation costs and erection costs for all metal or timber framing are prohibitive.

This invention is designed to enable a factory f to utilize short pieces of material and even quantities of scrap material in connection with sheet ,meta

l strips for the construction 1, 192s.- serial No. 85,164.

of frame units which are and, in general, better adapted for the desired purposes than the heavily braced beams, and posts heretofore used ;A also, to enable such manufacturers to provide metal or wood reinforcing tension and shear members at small cost and with minimum expenditure, which can be easily installed during the erecting operation at the points where strains are likely to develop under wind pressures which otherwise might prove destructive of the structure.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a building having a rarne embodying the invention herein described, the end wall being removed. Figure 2 is a sectional view through two arched frame members, drawn on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, on` line '3 3 of Figure 1.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detail views showing respectively a lower frame unit, an intermediateframe unit, anda connecting top unit, of the three standard types from which the frame arches are constructed.

Figure 7 is a view, similar to Figure 1, showing'a modified form of construction.

Figure 8 is adetail side view of a portion of one of the frame arches used in the building shown in Figure 7 and showing a lateral sectional view d roof extension thereof.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing the tie bolt connection with the base of the arch.

Figure 11 is a trusses, enlarged. v

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters ythroughout the several views.

In place of the studs, rafters, plates, posts and tie beams ordinarily employed for the construction of barn frames, this invention contemplates the use of a series of arched frame members, each composed of factory made unitswhich curve inwardly from each side of the building and are connected end to end when settingv up the frame. The upper unit of each arch has outer walls which eX- tend tangentially to the curve of the arch to form a central ridge, but the inner. wall condetail of one of the ridge stronger, lighter' maJor axis of which extends vertically. rlihe curvature of the successive units differs in such a manner that the arch conforms generally to an elliptical curve in all 'portions of the inner Wall and also in those portions of the outer wall other than the upper ridge forming tangentlal extensions thereof. The ridge or peak of the building frame is disposed in a plane substantially coinciding with the major axis of the ellipse.

Each of the units has spaced inner and outer walls built up from a set of comparatively thin overlapping strips or boards arranged lineally so as to break'joints, and securely nailed or otherwise fastened'together to form a laminated wall. In the construction shown, the outer wall of vthe lower unit of each arch comprises a set of two overlapping boards 1 and 2 arranged in the manner above described. The inner wall is similarly constructed of boards or sets of boards 6, 7 and 8 similarly secured together and connected at suitable intervals with those of the outer wall by bolts 10, said bolts being passed through spacing sleeves 11 in the upper portion of this unit, whereby the inner and outer walls are kept apart by the sleeves, while clampingly connected by the bolts.

In the construction shown in FigureI 1, the lower port-ions of the lower -units or base members of the arch are substantially straight and the walls are spaced apart by a wooden bar 12. These-units may therefore be readily shortened,for they may be cut to the desired length by merely sawing them in two, thereby varying the height of the lbuild-y ing without affecting the structure'or curvature of the arch or the width of the building. The upper portions conform to the curvature of the arch and the upper end portions of the strips 7 and 8 of the inner wall are extended beyond the strips 17 2 and 6, and form a means for connecting these lower frame units with the next succeeding frame units of the series which composes the arch, as hereinafter explained. The curvature of the various portions of the arch will, of course, depend upon the design. l i

` Vertically disposed sheathing boards 3 inay be employed for this'l portion of the building, and their upper end portions extend in la straight line and are secure-d to a horizontally extending girth 4 which is interposed between them and the upper end portions of the boards 2. Between the arches this girth is nailed to blocking pieces 5. These girths support the eaves bars 13 which are nailed to -the `arches and carry the roof boards which provide the water shed Ior eaves 14.

' For the purposes of this description the next unit of the series is herein termed an intermediate unit. Its walls are similarly constructed but preferably from a less number of strips or boards,-i. e., from boards 1 t and 2 in the outer wall and 6 and 7 in' the inner Wall: This unit, however, conforms to the curve of the arch throughout' its length,v

and a strip 15 of metal is employed'fas a reinforcing or tension and shear member. This tension and shear member -is passed across the outer end of one spacing sleeve and across the inner end of the next and is provided with holes through which the bolts 10 pass, thereby connecting the bolts and the inner and outer walls along lines which lie obliquely to the wall surfaes. A similar tension and shear member 16 may be u'sed in the upper l portion of the lower uniti The number of these intermediate units to be connected lineally inthe respective sides of the arch will of course depend upon the size of the building, the units being ,prefer-- ably of a standard length. Some of the inner wall boards of the lower unit,-(i. e.,s-the strips 7 and 8, `in the construction shown), are butted with the boards 7 and 8 of the associated intermediate unit, and the inner wall boards 7 and 8 of this intermediate unit end -for connection with the succeeding unit, whereby all the units in the arch may be -are correspondingly extended at the other assembled in 'break joint relation. The abutting ends of the inner walls of successive units are preferably tied together, when the units are assembled, by splicing strips 17 The upper intermediate units on the respective sides of the arch are connected with'each other by the top unit (herein termed the ridge unit). The upper or outer wall boards or strips 18 and 19 of the ridge unit are substantially straight, and extend tangentially from the intermediate units with which they are overlappingly connected to the central peak or ridge 20. The inner Wall boards or strips 22 and 23 are curved and form the top of the arch formed by the inner walls of the assembled units. Y A Imetallic tension strip 25 extends about the inner ends of the end spacing sleeves 26 f vslope of the ridge unit and under the two divergent central struts 29 and 30 which are located adjacent to and on opposite sides, of the peak. It will be observed that the portions of this metal tension strip or strap 25 which cross the top of the arch are substantially horizontal between the sleeves 27.

An angular cap piece 32. also of metal, is applied to the meeting end portions ofthe outer walls ofthe ridge unit, and secured in position by the ridge bolts 33 and 34. This cap piece 32 co-operates with the tension strip 25 and the spacing sleeves and bolts in providing a metallic reinforcement for the ridge unit which prevents it from drawing apart.

. length that cutting and fitting will duired when setting up the frame.

v arch on each side, smaller ends extending downwardly in the the erection of small buildings.

ually The wooden portionsof the unit are e ling effective in providing resistance to buc strains.

To provide against a spreading of the arch at the base, a sill plate 36 is securely fastened to the floor and sills at-each side of the building. ,This sill plate is of la proper width to fit the spaces between the inner and outer walls of the lower frame units and affords a secure anchorage. The walls are nailed or bolted thereto.

The frame members or studs of the end walls are preferably similar in construction to the arched stud-raftei -frame members, above described, except that ,they will of course be straight Where a vertical end wall is desired and their upper ends will be secured to the end inembersof the series of studrafters. rIhey will be of differing lengths, but may, if desired, be so spaced and constructed from standardized units of such not be re- After the frame has been set up it maybe covered with sheathing boards 37 and roofing 38 in the or dinary manner. No intermediate posts or bracing will be required for a barn structure of any ordinary size and the enclosed space is therefore peculiarly adapted for the storage of hay, grain straw, etc. The structure wi also have a'niaximum capacity in proportion to its width and height. n

In Figures 7 to 10 a modification is"` illustrated which is more particularly adapted for (The frame units are similarly constructed except as follows:

In place of the spacing sleeves 11 above described, taperedspacing blocks 40 are employed which are of progressively increasing, vthickness from the lower ends to the top of the and disposed with their space between the walls, these spacing blocks 5 being adapted to provide a substantially unidivergence of the inne-r and outer walls from their lower ends to the ridge. 'The tie bolts 41 are used in pairs,-one pair for each spacing block. The ridge unit may be formed in two parts divided at the peak. The central portion of the ridge unit is preferably filled with a pair of strut blocks 43, each formed with an angular upper surface to conform to the ridge contour.

In the construction shown in Figures 7 to 10, metal tie plates 32 and 55 (see Figure 11) are employed to connect the two partsof'this ridge unit as well as to reinforce it. The

form

` substantially vertical units showny at the lower end of the arch in Figure 1 are omitted in Figure 7. Such units may be used, if desired,

' to increase the elevation, but for i chicken coops, hog pens, etc., Vsuch elevation is not required. The pitch or curvature of the arch may of course bc varied, particularly with ll walls 50 and 51 with t by a Spanner reference to the width of the building and the requirements for head room, but such work will be done at the factory, where the stresses can be calculated and materialsI selected to provide the requisite strength??? IVhere the .improved frame is to be applied to a concrete base the anchoring sill ,plates may be secured to anchor bolts embedded in the concrete wall or floor. In Figure 7 an embedded tie bolt 44 extends entirely across the enclosed space` and has upturned threaded ends passed through the sill plates and securedl by nuts 45. This feature of construction may be a plied to the Figure 1 structure where the fldundation walls or floors are of concrete. But in the construction shown in the inner and outer wall boards converge into contact at their lower ends, and are anchored to the sill plates by metal tie plates having inner' vertical sill engaging portions 47 hori- Figure 7,

zontal portions 48 and outer upwardly extending portions 49 engaging the lower end ofthe frame unit to anchor it to the sillplate.

Wherelateral extensions are desired, substantially straight units having converging outer and inner walls 50 and 51 may be employed, and their outer ends supported by vertical units similar to the base or lower units shown in Figure l. The converging their shear. blocks -form an adequate support such an extension. At each end, the vertical unit posts are braced fromone of the arches a by an obliquely disposed tension member 52.

Where the ridge unit is made in two parts as in Figure 7, the tiel plate or bar. 25-will of course be divided at or near the central joint. Therefore, I preferably make the 1nner wall boards 8 short at the abutting ends of the unit and insert the metal spanner'plate 55 lwhich is nailed or otherwise secure in place at the time of installation and covered n board 56 also nailed in position as best shown in Figure 11 and providing a wooden member to which sheathing may be nailed.

ByI having he lower units reinforced and spaced by wooden members, the lower ends of the -frame arch may be cut away whenever a building of the samespace but of less height is to be erected. In general, the various features shown in Figures l and 7 may be used in either structure, as desired. Also the lower` units of arches suclnas are shown in Figure 1 may be cut to the desired length and used as base or ,post portions for the arches shown in any of the other views to increase the height of the Structure.

I claim: l

1. A building stud-rafter frame member comprising a 'set of opposed inwardly curving units, a trussed connecting unit having outer portions substantially tangential to the curving outer surfaces of the first mentioned unitsv and lading'to an intermediate peak,

for the low fiat roof of said connecting unit having an inner surface` also an inner wall constituting a continuation constituting a continuation of the inner surof the arch formed by the inner walls ofthe faces of the first mentioned units, each of said first mentioned units, a continuous interposed units having spaced outer and inner Walls tension and shear member connectingy the with intervening spacing and reinforcing outer and inner walls, and intervening spac-V members, and the tension member of the coning and reinforcing members, the' tension necting unit being arranged tangential to the member of the connecting unit being arinner portion and to extend across the space ranged substantially tangential to the top underneath 'the peak along the inner wall 'of the inner Wall and extending across the to junction points in the'outer portion at each space underneath the central portion of the side of the peak. outer wall to junction points in vthe outer 2. In a building frame, a frame member Wall at each side of said central portion having a substantially continuously arched thereof.

inner wall and arched outer Walls extended 7. A building frame arch including a plu,-

tangentially at their upper Iportions to a rality ofarch forming units, each having meeting point above the top of the arch of inner and outer Walls curved in conformity the inner wall, and web connections between with the arch,- intervening spacing members the' inner and outer walls of said members, and wallv connections including means for including a metal tension member extending maintaining the conformation of the walls, tangentially of the top of the innerwall arch one wall of one unit being extended beyond the and connected to the outer walls at' opposite other, and the opposing wall of the next unit sides of the peak. having a complementary extension in the op- 3. In a building frame, a frame member posite direction, and an intervening spacing having a substantially continuously arched member and a wall connection securing such inner wall and arched outer walls extended.l extensions to each other in overlapping and tangentially at their upper portions to .a spaced relation. meeting pointabove the top of the arch of 8. A building frame arch including a pluthe inner wall, and web connections between rality of archjorming units, each having inthe inner and outer walls of said members, ner and outer walls curved in conformity including a metal tension member extending with the arch, intervening spacing members tangentially of the top. of the 'inner wall and wall connections, one Wall of one unit arch and connected to the outer walls at opbeing extended beyond the other, and the opposite sides of the peak, said peak being also posing wall of the next unit having a comthe peak.

reinforced-by an angularly bent bar secured plementary extension in the opposite directo the outer wall at the respective sides of tion and arranged with an intervening spacing member and a wall connection securing 4. A unit'for building frames having disuch extensions to each other in overlapping vergent inner and outer walls, spacing memand spacedrelation, and a tru-ss connected to bers between said walls of increasing dimenboth Walls and to the other spacing members.

sions in the direction of the point of Widest 9. A building frame arch including alplu- .wall divergence, and connecting devices co rality of arch forming units, each vhaving operative with the spacing members to hold inner and outer walls curved in conformity the walls in fixed relation to each other, towith the arch, intervening spacing members, gether with tension members extending lonwall connections, one wall of one unit being gitudinally from one connecting device to the extended beyond the other, and the opposing next and beyond one of them to an approwal-l of thenext unit having a complementary priate'distance for connection with another extension in the opposite direction and arunit in end to end relation thereto, ranged with an intervening spacing member 5. Al building frame unit comprising a and a Wall connection securing such extenset of spaced innerl and outer Walls,l tubular sions to each other in overlapping and spaced Spacing members, a continuous metal band relation, and a continuous metal band cofextending longitudinally between said walls operative with the connecting members, se-

ver

and across the outer and inner ends of suc# curing the successive spacingmembers to each cessive spacing members in alternation, said other and alternately to the opposing wall-s band having apertures registering with vthe and tothe extension 'of the next unit. ends of said tubular spacing members, and 10. A building frame arch having an outer bolts extending ,through said apertures and*r wall of changing degrees of curvature. contubular spacing members and connecting the forming generally to that of an elliptical inner and outer Walls. curve having a vertical major axis, except 6. A building stud-rafter :frame member in its top portiomsaid top portion extending comprising a set of opposed inwardly curved tangentially from the connected arch porunits having spaced inner and outer Walls, tions to.,.a central ridge peak disposed in a a trussed connecting unit having an outer plane substantially coinciding with the mawall constituting a. continuation of the outer walls ofthe first mentioned units and having in spaced relation to said outer wall in subjor axis oi said curve, an inner wall extending stantial conformity to the line ofthe latter,

and intervening spacing members and wall connections including means for maintaining the conformation of the Walls.

11. A building frame arch having an outer Wall of changing degrees of curvature oonforming generally to .that of an elliptical curve having a vertical major axis, except in its top portion, said top portion extendlng tangentially from connected arch portions to 1o a central ridge peak, lan inner wall spaced from and connected to said outer wall and substantially conforming in all portions to said elliptical curve, and intervening spacing members and Wall connections including means for maintainlng the conformation of the walls.

JOHN G. SHODRON. 

